Improvement in carriage-springs



J. T. PIOKHAVER. Carriage Spring.

Patented Oct. 23, 1877..

UNITED TATE-S QFFIGE.

JOHN T. PIOKHAVER, or IONI-A, MICHIGAN.

' IMPROVEMENT IN CARRIAGE-SPRINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 196,382, dated October23 1877 application filed August 4, 1877.

jected.

Figrne 1 represents a side elevation of my invention; Fig. 2, an endview of the same; Fig. 3, a top-plan view of the same; Fig. 4, aperspective view of one of the couplings uniting the side and endsprings.

A and 13 represent the two transverse semielliptic springs, seatedfirmly on head-blocks or bolsters; and G, the two longitudinal sidesprings, secured to the under side of the spars or side bars D, andsuspended at their ends by couplings E from the ends of the transversesprings, as shown.

The end springs A B have their ends curved slightly downward, andprovided with depending side ears to receive a coupling pin, a, whichlatter should stand but slightly aboy e the level of the middle of thespring, and the pillow-blocks are made, as shown, comparatively short,in order to leave the vibrating end of the spring as long as possible.By thus forming and arranging the springs their ends are caused to movein an arc of great radius, and to rise and fall in a practicallyvertical line, so that they have no tendency to move the side springslaterally or twist the same, as is generally the case.

The springs A B are each made in one piece from end to end, and eachsupported and stiffened by an additional leaf, 1), seated under andextending nearly its entire length.

Each coupling consists of a pivoted block, d, and two pendent links, 0.A bolt, a, passing through the upper part of the block d transverselyacross the end spring, connects the block thereto, while a second bolt,f, passing through the lower part of the block at right angles to theupper bolt, sustains the upper ends of the links 6, which have theirlower ends mounted on the ends of a bolt, g, passed transversely throughan eye on the end of the side springs, as shown. This arrangement admitsof the side springs playing up and down, and of their being elongated bythe efl'ect of weight upon them without their having any tendency totwist the end springs or move them laterally, and also, in like manner,admits of the end springs playing freely without twisting or displacingthe. side springs, each spring being permitted to play freely, and toremain in its proper vertical position under all circumstances, while atthe same time the springs are enabled to work in unison with an easygentle motion, and without cramping or binding.

The arrangement of the springs so that they have no tendency to twist ordisplace each other is of great importance, inasmuch as it greatlyincreases the elasticity and easiness of action, and avoids thedisplacement and twisting of the springs and the general racking andloosening of the parts so common under the ordinary arrangements ofsprings.

The side springs consist of a long top leaf or spring, h, lying next to,and extending the entire length of, the spar, and terminating at agreater or less distance from the couplings, and of a bottom leaf, i,connected to the coupling, and extending inward a short distance underthe top leaf and the bar, and secured firmly thereto by clips, as shown,one or more intermediate stiffening-leaves, is, being used when desired.

By arranging the short springs or leaves under the upper one, andextending them beyond the same, I am enabled to build up a cheap springof any required stiffness without the use of the main spring of fulllength, and without cutting and weakening the spar.

In order to give the system additional stability I extend two metalbars, y, from one side bar to the other near their ends, and fasten themsecurely under the bars by clips,

the bars thus applied serving to retain the side bars in parallel lines,and to keep them from twisting or turning over sidewise.

In practice, I find that by making the coupling-blocks of brass theyoperate in connection with the steel springs in an easy and noiselessmanner, so that the creaking and harsh grating sounds usually incidentto this class of springs are entirely avoided.

I am aware that the combination of side springs and transverse springsconnected at their ends is old, that couplings of various kinds havebeen used to connect springs with each other, and that side springsextending from one end. spring to the other have been used with leavesbearing upon them, and I make no claim thereto; but,

Having described my invention, what I do claim is 1. In combination withthe two transverse end springs, constructed and arranged so that theirends rise and fall in practically vertical lines, the two longitudinalside springs and the couplings betweenthe side and end springs, eachconsisting of but three pieces, (I e e, and their connecting-bolts, allconstructed and arranged as shown and described.

2. The combination of the spar D, the long steel spring h, seated underand extending be yond the ends of the spar, and the short leaf springsz, seated under and extending beyond the spring h, and secured theretoand. to the spar, as shown.

JOHN T. PICKHAVER- 'Witnesses:

C. 0. THOMPSON, J. D. 'WELoH.

